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Ishtar Gate

Type Object Region Babylon Time c. -575–-539

A glazed brick city gate built by Neo-Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II in northern Babylon, famous for its blue glaze and relief divine beasts, serv…

Timeline

  1. c. -575–-565Babylon · BabylonNebuchadnezzar II ordered the construction of the Ishtar Gate, using blue glazed bricks and relief images of divine beasts such as bulls and dragons, connecting to the Processional Way within the city, used for New Year celebrations and religious processions.
  2. -565–-539Babylon · BabylonThe Ishtar Gate served as the symbolic entrance to Babylon's religious and civic ceremonial axis, its glory recorded in Akkadian inscriptions, gradually losing its original function after the Persian conquest as the dynasty declined.

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